generally i've always done back squats, but as of lately i've switched to front squats after hearing elliott hulse preach about them being better for athletes. i've found to like them more than back squats but i do want to hear others' perspectives on the subject.
are front squats better than back squats, and if so, why?
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Thread: front squats vs. back squats.
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04-24-2013, 01:02 PM #1
front squats vs. back squats.
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04-24-2013, 01:14 PM #2
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04-24-2013, 01:19 PM #3
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04-24-2013, 01:27 PM #4
I agree with Hulse but I do both.
I find front squats very humbling.-Having a big tool box is great but it means nothing if you lack a set of standard screwdrivers and a hammer.
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04-24-2013, 01:41 PM #5
I do both, but I find front squats to be a more comfortable motion.
I back squat high bar not low bar so the feel is pretty similar to front squats albeit with more glute/ham involvement.
I like to combine Front Squats with RDLs and Back Squats with Hack Squats as leg day lead off movements.
Somedays I'll do both in the same session but in that case I'll go heavy on one and rep out the other with a lighter weight.
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04-24-2013, 01:45 PM #6
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04-24-2013, 01:49 PM #7
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You can have more than one squat session a week so alternate the squat versions then. I personally front squat 2x and back squat 2x a week.
With front squats though keep the reps low, no more than 5-6 as your back will fatigue before your legs do so when the weight gets heavier, you´ll just be doing some ugly rounded back front squats.Strength + Speed = Power
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04-24-2013, 02:01 PM #8
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04-24-2013, 02:15 PM #9
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04-24-2013, 02:19 PM #10
Front squats are much more quad dominant, they are great for someone who wants to improve his quads for whatever reason. It also mimics an important part of most of the Olympic lifts, which makes it essential for Olympic weightlifters. Back squats recruits your quads, hamstring, glutes and lower back to a much higher degree compared to high bar squats, which allows you to lift more weight and work on your over-all lower body strength.
Non of them is better than the others, It all comes down to your goal(s)Last edited by DivaJana; 04-24-2013 at 02:25 PM.
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04-24-2013, 07:03 PM #11
Both are good exercises. Do them both and reap the best from both worlds.
Also be ready to adapt to having your quads being blasted and core as well for trying to stay more upright rather than the back squat.
I'm also pretty sure it is easier to hit a deeper depth than back squat.https://bandcamp.com/singularity7 - Music collection. Recommend albums. Always looking for more.
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04-24-2013, 07:07 PM #12
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04-24-2013, 07:34 PM #13
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04-24-2013, 07:41 PM #14
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04-26-2013, 08:29 AM #15
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04-26-2013, 10:44 AM #16
Depends kinda....do you start pushing off with the balls of your feet when this happens.........?
One thing to keep in mind is to focus on keeping the bar/elbows "up" and the bar in line with the middle of your feet as you drive up.
My upper back is pretty strong but upper back fatigue is real once you start going heavy. I usually do sets of 5-6, but I find that heavy sets of 3 help a lot of well for strengthening all muscles in the movement (followed by lower weight sets of 6-8 to get reps in/develop quads).
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04-26-2013, 10:47 AM #17
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04-26-2013, 10:53 AM #18
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04-26-2013, 10:59 AM #19
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04-26-2013, 11:05 AM #20
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04-26-2013, 11:07 AM #21anonymousGuest
Fronts are a deload for me, the weights are much lighter than back squats and you can't do high reps so I focus on technique work. It also gives the PC a bit of a break and lets me go ATG with a flat back which I cant on back squats. My knees like them, as do my torn hip labrum and piriformis
better? Absolutely not. Get your close-ish stance, high-ish bar squat up as much as possible and that will build a lot more leg size + strength.
when back squats go up, fronts should go up assuming you have good technique
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04-26-2013, 11:28 AM #22
They are different exercises, which hit the muscles differently. Might as well compare barbell rows with pulldowns.
Whether you do one, the other, or both depends on your goals. It also depends on what other exercises you are doing.☠ By reading this post, you have agreed to my negative reputation terms of service.
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04-26-2013, 11:35 AM #23
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04-27-2013, 06:27 PM #24
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i've actually done the same thing the past few months. i always focused more on back squats and only did front squats every once in a while. but because of knee and back pains i made the switch to front squats to see if they pain would go away and it truly has. so now i make front squats my main squat exercise on leg day and i do back squats every other week, and usually on the smith machine. so yeah man, do them both but i like front squats more.
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04-28-2013, 02:16 AM #25
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04-28-2013, 02:22 AM #26
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back squat is a very loose term, and can be done in very different ways, from a wide stance low bar to a narrow high bar.
I have done front squats in the past, but I have come to the realisation that if you are flexible you should be able to perform the high bar back squat in a very very similar fashion to the front squat (torso angle), without the awkwardness of having the bar in front. Since then I have definitely been able to target my quads a lot better."Do not subordinate fundamental principles to minor details."
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04-28-2013, 03:04 AM #27
I was thinking that it mainly has to do with the glutes not getting involved, but that also entails a shorter learning curve. The extra weight with back squats means that you have to learn the form better.
I'd say it's more like Decline Bench Press and Incline Bench Press. Maybe dips and Incline Bench Press.
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04-28-2013, 03:48 AM #28
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04-28-2013, 02:57 PM #29
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08-31-2014, 08:01 AM #30
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